Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum

Dear Friends,

One of the foundations of Jewish life is the importance of the art of happiness. Our Torah tells us to be Besimcha, to be happy and joyous. From the time of the Mishna, throughout Jewish history and into our times today, the emphasis has always been on the concept of happiness. Over the centuries, the rabbis have taught us the importance of being positive and being Besimcha, with happiness. Tomorrow is the day with the most simcha because it is the festival of Simchat Torah. The holiday of Simchat Torah is the most joyous day in our year. We explain many times on many occasions that Judaism, especially in synagogue life, is filled with simcha and celebrations, from a brit, the naming of a baby, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Purim, Simchat Torah, uhfrufs and weddings.

Here we are, as we are about to begin the memorial service, the Yizkor. Judaism believes in eternal life for the soul. We believe that even though the physical body is not here, the soul and the spirit remain with us. One of the famous teachings of the Mishna is the idea of the soul resting in peace. The soul has the reward to watch contentedly over our world from above and to see the continuation of life.

If you look around in the sanctuary, you see several names. The sanctuary was dedicated by Rose and Bernard Legum. This is the first Shemini Atzeret Yizkor that Bernie is no longer with us. Bernie was one the founders of Kneseth Israel. I still recall the last time when I visited him. He shared with me his experiences and fond memories of all his years of dedication and devotion to the shul. He said to me, "Last year when I heard the president speak during the Yom Kippur service, mentioning the list of new members, I had tears in my eyes because we had some moments that we almost gave up hope." He said to me, "Rabbi, I don’t know how long I’m going to make it, but when I’m seeing all these new members and young people, I feel very content. I know that when the time comes, I will rest in peace." And now that we are here at Yizkor services, we believe that Bernie’s soul, and all the other beloved ones, are here now with us. When we look at the names written on the plaques on the right and left sides of the sanctuary, we are thinking about them, how dedicated and devoted they were to us. And we are the people who will continue from one generation to the next to pray and to maintain the traditions. Now our beloved ones are watching over us. They see each and every one of us who is present here as a wonderful example of continuation.

The beauty of Judaism, as we said, is the idea of simcha, meaning, happiness, as we go on in life. Our departed loved ones want us to carry on. They want us to come to the holiday of Simchat Torah, to celebrate the Torah as the heritage and gift of G-d and a source of life. Those souls for whom we are praying wish to see us maintain Judaism positively and with happiness. They do not want to see us in a state of sorrow and agony. Our goal, our test, our mission is to remember them and to go on in a positive way. They are watching over us and they desire that we enjoy life and appreciate the many blessings of G-d. They know that if we observe Judaism, Besimcha, with happiness, that we are continuing the legacy and the values for which they stood.

There is a famous story about Rabbi Klonimus Shapiro, who was a great Chassidic master. On Simchat Torah in the Warsaw ghetto, all the Chassidim were waiting for him to begin the celebration. Every minute there was a different rumor. One said that he wouldn’t come because two days earlier his wife had been killed by the Nazis. One said he would come anyway because he’s a Chassidic master. Another said that since the Nazis took his daughters, he wouldn’t come. Another voice again said that he would come, because he was a Chassidic master. After a great deal of discussion, the Rebbe appeared. As he was dancing and rejoicing for Simchat Torah, he said, "The secret of our survival is happiness, going on in life and being positive."

At this moment we ask each one of our departed souls to be a "gutabeta", a lobbyist, or an emissary to pray for us and to help us continue their missions.  May G-d remove the tears from the mourners and make this year of 5764 a year of simcha, a year of joy and happiness.